How much does a cook make in Illinois?
$34,960a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Illinois. That is $16.81 an hour or $2,913 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.81
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among states
- 14 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 13,430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,200Median: $34,960Highest 10%: $40,580
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| 25th | $31,430 | $15.11 | |
| Median | $34,960 | $16.81 | |
| 75th | $37,350 | $17.96 | |
| 90th | $40,580 | $19.51 |
Cities in Illinois
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Chicago, IL | $35,360 |
| Rockford, IL | $33,380 |
| Champaign, IL | $32,840 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,340 |
| Kankakee, IL | $31,900 |
| Bloomington, IL | $31,430 |
| St. Louis, MO | $30,860 |
| Davenport, IA | $30,460 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $28,820 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 11. New York | $35,770 |
| 12. Rhode Island | $35,230 |
| 13. Connecticut | $34,980 |
| 14. Illinois | $34,960 |
| 15. Minnesota | $34,120 |
| 16. Alaska | $33,960 |
| 17. Nevada | $33,840 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Illinois?
The median hourly pay in Illinois is $16.81 ($34,960 a year).
Do cooks make more in Illinois than the national average?
Yes: $34,960 against $30,890 nationally, 13% more.
Where does Illinois rank for cook pay?
Illinois ranks 14 of 51 states.
Which city in Illinois pays cooks the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, with a median of $35,360 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.